Walmart holiday goods

Walmart has significantly reduced its imports of Christmas goods, bringing in only 340,000 kilos in the 12 months ending September 30, a sharp decline from 980,000 kilos last year and more than 1.9 million kilos in 2022. This decrease reflects the retailer's cautious outlook for the upcoming holiday shopping season, with analysts predicting weaker sales amid ongoing inflation and consumer spending concerns. A Walmart spokesperson emphasized that the import data does not fully represent the company's sourcing and cited various factors influencing the figures. Experts note that while overall U.S. retail sales rose unexpectedly in September, many consumers are still hesitant to spend on discretionary items due to tightening budgets. The company's holiday outlook will be revealed in its third-quarter results on November 19, further shedding light on its expectations for the season. Retail consultants warn that retailers as a whole are anticipating a smaller sales increase compared to last year.